The Pittsburgh Steelers were all set to draft William Jackson III in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Just before the Steelers were set to pick him, the Cincinnati Bengals leapfrogged the Steelers and took Jackson with the 24th pick of the draft. The Houston Cougars defender became a staple in the Bengals' secondary, and the Steelers took Artie Burns.
Mike Tomlin on the sideline of the Steelers' 35-13 loss at Philadelphia / Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Fast forward to the 2022 trade deadline and Jackson was languishing on the Washington Commanders roster as a bad scheme fit and an unhappy player. The Steelers and Mike Tomlin never forgot about Jackson and how excited they were to draft him. When the opportunity arose to rescue him and give him a second chance in the AFC North, they pounced.
"Really excited about acquiring Will Jackson," Tomlin said. "Highly familiar with Will, not only from the AFC North, but just pre-draft when he came out. He was a guy that we had a lot of interest in. We liked his skill set. He's got really good top end speed. He's an experienced guy, he's experienced in the NFL, also experienced in the North”
Photo Credit: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
The Steelers have four divisional games left as they sit two games out in the AFC North. It is a long shot but if they can finish 5-1 in the division and get hot in the second half of the season, maybe they aren’t as far out of the race as we think.
“Pittsburgh is a great organization to play for,” Jackson said. “I played them for five years, twice a year so it’s cool to be able to play with these guys. Things happen in the draft. It is what it is. Either way I was blessed to actually even go first round. You dream about that as a kid. I just took it all in. Just move forward.”
The Steelers' selection and ultimate release of Burns was a huge setback for the organization. It did not directly cost them a championship, but it created a significant hole in the defense for several seasons. Jackson has played his best football in a man coverage scheme and the Steelers under Teryl Austin, who coached Jackson in Cincinnati, play more man-to-man coverages than they have in the past.
"I'm just coming in to be the best they want me to be,” Jackson continued. “Whatever that may be. I just got here. It was a whirlwind. Everything happened fast. I didn't get to talk to the coaches good, so it is just getting comfortable with the guys and know what I got to do. I just want to get in and get comfortable and know exactly what I got to do and know the ins and outs of the defense.”
William Jackson III (23) intercepts a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Photo Credit: Geoff Burke USA Today Sports
Jackson tweaked his back three weeks ago for the Commanders and it was rumored that if they could not trade him, they would release Jackson once the deadline had passed. The Steelers' familiarity with him and the steady stream of injuries to Pittsburgh defenders made the pickup a no-brainer for a late-round conditional draft pick. They are only required to pay Jackson $3.1 million this season and can release him prior to his March 17th roster bonus if he doesn’t perform.
Jackson seems truly ecstatic to be wearing the black and gold and if he can regain his previous form, it could be a real boost for the secondary as Ahkello Witherspoon has struggled to adapt to the number one cornerback responsibilities. Jackson should have plenty of time to adapt and learn the terminology of the defense prior to the meeting with the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure stadium in two weeks.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you happy to have Jackson in the secondary? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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